Ellsbury seems key in any deal with Red Sox  —  There's still no imminent trade involving Twins ace Johan Santana, but Boston's young center fielder keeps coming up in discussions.  —  The Twins continued exploring potential trade options for Johan Santana on Monday, picking up where they left off at last week's winter meetings.

Cubs may be raising stakes for Fukudome  —  Offer thought to be close to $50 million  —  The Padres are facing determined competition from the Cubs for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.  Growing indications yesterday had the Cubs willing to guarantee Fukudome close to $50 million.

MATSUI MAY 'WAIVE' BYE  —  The Yankees haven't asked Hideki Matsui to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to San Francisco, but there were strong indications last night he wouldn't stand in the way of a deal if presented to him.  —  When the Giants asked the Blue Jays …

Bryant: Conflicts and missteps undermine Mitchell report  —  With the highly anticipated Mitchell report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball expected to be released within the coming days, scores of baseball employees who were interviewed by former Senator George Mitchell's investigators …

Responding to Zimbalist  —  Today, Maury Brown has posted Andrew Zimbalist's review essay of The Baseball Economist along with Vince Gennaro's Diamond Dollars.  This essay is to be featured in the next issue of the Journal of Economic Literature.  —  I am open to criticism …

Diamondbacks raise Kuroda offer  —  While considering paying the high cost in talent that a trade would require, the Diamondbacks still are trying to bolster their rotation by paying a higher cost in dollars instead.  —  The Diamondbacks recently improved their contract offer …

Pavano Weighing His Options  —  Carl Pavano is still mulling a Yankees proposal to release him and then re-sign him to a minor league contract.  He said Monday he is not close to a decision.  —  "I'd be giving up a lot of options if I signed a minor league deal," Pavano said.

Rockies, Cook agree on new deal  —  Right-hander's contract worth $34.5 million through 2011  —  DENVER — The Rockies and right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook on Tuesday signed a new contract that will pay him $34.5 million and will keep him with the club through 2011, with a mutual option for 2012.

Timo Perez re-signs with Tigers; Brandon Inge trade talks  —  Outfielder Timo Perez has elected to remain with the Tigers, by signing a one-year major-league contract worth a maximum of $525,000.  —  The deal is similar in structure to those signed by Detroit infielder Ramon Santiago …

Read: MetsBlog Interview with Omar Minaya  —  Mets GM Omar Minaya and LHP Oliver Perez were guests during last night's Mets Hot Stove Report on SNY.  —  To watch a clip of Minaya's appearance, click here.  —  ...i was able to run down to the studio and ask him a few questions …

Wise designated for assignment  —  As predicted in my story in the JS this morning, the Brewers have designated reliever Matt Wise for assignment to make room for newly signed closer Eric Gagne on the 40-man roster.  —  The Brewers have 10 days to trade Wise or release him.

Proportion, perspective missing ingredients in news coverage … Sometimes in this column, I call out ESPN for journalistic practices or problems unique to it, such as the conflict of interest issues arising from rights ownership and other business ties to the leagues it covers.